The newly-installed floodlights and electronic scoreboard at the Bangabandhu National Stadium will be formally inaugurated on October 12 with a day-night match between two local selections. Finance Minister ASM Kibria will do the honours.
The lights and the scoreboard have been installed ahead of the forthcoming Wills International Cup to be held at the stadium from the 24th of this month. Nine Test-playing nations will take part in the 10-day long knock-out tournament.
This was revealed by State Minister for Youth and Sports Obaidul Quader after a visit yesterday afternoon to the Bangabandhu Stadium to inspect the preparatory works. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Sports Secretary ASM Shahjahan, National Sports Council (NSC) secretary SM Ali Kabir, and other senior NSC and BCB officials were also present during Quader's visit.
Although Quader was quite happy with the preparation inside the stadium, he expressed his utter disappointment about the general cleanliness outside the stadium which has virtually become a rubbish dump.
``The environment around the stadium is too unhealthy due to the rubble, waste soil and encroachment by shop owners. It needs drastic improvement,'' said Quader
The minister instructed the NSC officials to clean the outside area of the stadium before October 12.
After the visit, Quader had an amiable session with the local press along with the BCB boss where he also revealed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to inaugurate the mega event and also may be present in the final as chief guest. Both the ceremonies will be kept simple.
The Minister also informed that the NSC has spent Tk 16 crore for the renovation works at the Bangabandhu National Stadium which includes the new flood lights, electronic scoreboard, press box and the post-match briefing room. He also said that he would inspect the three practice venues --BUET ground, Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium and Sultana
Kamal Women Sports Complex today.
BCB boss Saber said that the first ODI between Bangladesh and England will be held at the BKSP ground on October 23. England may also play another ODI either with Zimbabwe or against New Zealand.
Zimbabwe will arrive in the capital on October 17 while England and New Zealand are scheduled to reach Dhaka on the following day.
Saber also said that Pakistan's World Cup winning captain Imran Khan and his wife have been invited along with other dignitaries to attend the tournament. He also informed that former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar would not be coming to Dhaka because of his personal sponsorship problems.
Meanwhile, a massive beautification programme has been taken to decorate the Bangabandhu National Stadium for the Wills International Cup.
S&J, a local interior designing company, has been assigned with the decoration job.
S&J will implant a few flower gardens outside the boundary line and will also install a podium outside the VIP gate which will boast the flags of all the nine Test playing nations during the 10 day long meet.